It's been a while since I've visited Hellenic. The first was in Brunswick way back probably around 2010. Since then I've been Kew once and otherwise satisfied myself with a heap of Jimmy Grants experiences.
The leaving Melbourne-meal couldn't have a chosen a better place with iconic Melbourne/Greek food. They don't do this in London. I don't think they even do this in Greece (that I've seen).
- Taromasalata $10 - an eggplant dip with pita;
- Stuffed zucchini flowers, lemon herb ricotta $20 for 4 - decent sized flowers, mild stuffing;
- Grilled octopus, fava, capers $25 - lovely tender and delicious;
- Cypriot grain salad $13 - delicious as always, better than Jimmy Grants because you get the essential pomegranate here;
- Barramundi, charred leek, skordalia $27 - fish cooked nicely with crisp salty skin;
- Pastourma beef shortrib, byzantine dressing $25 - reasonably tender with some chilli and spice in the rub;
- Lamb shoulder, burst cherry tomato $35 - a beautifully tender and luscious joint with a good amount of meat;
- Chips, oregano, garlic oil, feta - saltier and less tangy (no lemon perhaps?) compared to the outstanding Jimmy Grants one;
- Haloumi loukoumades, lemon curd $13 - mild cheese in a bready ball;
- Nick's Galaktoboureko, semolina parfait, walnut filo, fresh mango $18 - not a fan of the wafer but the parfait was refreshing.
An excellent meal as expected. The grain salad, grilled octopus and lamb shoulder would be the highlights for me. Beef rib, chips and loukoumades a close second. All they have to do is make an octopus and beef rib souvlaki, then I can just stay at Jimmy Grants forever.
